During the
1970s, the Bible conference grounds in Winona Lake, Indiana was an exciting
place to be for a young bride married to a seminary student. The Billy Sunday
Tabernacle with sawdust floors, the Homer Rodeheavor (Sunday’s song leader)
Auditorium, Grace College and Seminary hosted some of the nation’s premiere
Christian speakers and musicians.
I’ll never
forget working at the conference grounds cafeteria to help put Chuck through
school. It was during this stint that Jerry Falwell came through with his “I
love America” singers, committed to sharing/singing about the love of God,
America, and family on the steps of every capitol building in our country.
Little did I know at the time that Chuck and I would end up in Lynchburg,
Virginia for further education and ministry with Thomas Road Baptist Church and
Liberty Baptist College and Seminary (now Liberty University).
When I reflect
over 40 years of marriage, I realize how privileged I was (am) to be exposed to some
of the best of the best Christian artists, writers, and speakers. Over the
years, I’ve learned a few lessons about speaking from other speakers.
Use a strong illustration.
My first keen
memory as a 22 year old wife was sitting in on a women’s conference in the
Grace College auditorium. Jill Briscoe—wife to Stuart, mom, author, and speaker—used
the illustration of various types of sea vessels to help us identity how God
had equipped us. Was I a cruise liner, a sailboat, a cargo ship? I found that
concept captivating and helpful, plus it stuck in my memory. I have often
thought of that illustration, reminding myself that I can be content the way
God has made me. I don’t have to be someone else. Jill’s example of using a
powerful, memorable illustration has helped me when crafting my own talks for
women’s groups.
Interject humor.
Later, I enjoyed
listening to Patsy Clairmont during Women of Faith conferences and on tape. Perhaps
no Christian woman speaker does humor better than Patsy. What a seamless
presentation in her unique, but very natural story-telling style that flows
along with humor and scriptural application. When I come to my own speech-writing and
delivery, I’m reminded of Patsy’s powerful example. So, I try to apply humor
that relates to what I am presenting. The more natural and personal the better.
Don’t shy away from tears.
Too many
speakers to count have modeled this for me. Just as laughter can reinforce your
message, so can tears. Often these come without warning. I don’t typically plan
on tearing up, although I am well aware that certain sections of my speech
(especially the personal examples) can lead to emotion. So I use my emotion to
reinforce the message, the passionate theme on my heart. As in writing,
conveying emotion is a powerful tool that captures the audience and helps them
identify with your words/message because they see you as a real person.
Include music.
During our
Thomas Road/Liberty years, during a cozy retreat setting, Lucy Swindoll showed
me how to include music as part of a talk. Just a simple, acappello hymn, even
a line or two, could add depth and meaning to the presentation. Since I’m a
musician this appealed to me. I had not often seen this included with a talk.
Her example taught me to think outside the box when speaking. If the lyric
furthers the theme and takeaway of the speech, and if it flows naturally, then
I sometimes add it to the presentation.
Share what you’re passionate about.
In the early
80s, I attended a banquet at Liberty where Bev LaHaye was the speaker. She had
recently started an organization called Concerned Women for America and was
passionate about America returning to her biblical roots. She talked much about
her children and grandchildren, about the godly legacy she hoped to leave them.
Her vision ignited my own. I learned that a powerful speech stems from a passionate
heart. So, I try to write/speak about what’s hot on my heart in regard to God’s
Kingdom/culture.
Keep it simple.
I’ve learned
from a host of speakers over the years that simple is best. When the Holy
Spirit reveals the Scripture passage, burns the message into your heart, gives
you a real life application, reinforces it in multiple ways, you have clarity.
But the writing/presenting of it can be a challenge. It takes revision,
revision, revision to package the talk so that it’s digestible. You want the
audience to take away the MAIN thing. For you writers, it’s similar to the one
liner we shoot for when writing back cover copy. Think about what your aim is
in giving your talk. Come up with a brief outline (3 points, for example).
Use props.
Barbara Johnson
and her funny hats come to mind. I remember hearing her at a retreat years ago
where she used a floppy hat to illustrate a point. Now I use my own homemade “Josephine’s
Coat of Many Burdens” and “Josephine’s Coat of Many Blessings” to help women
discover who they are in Christ and what part they play in His Kingdom story. A
simple skit/monologue can solidify a message, too. Often women tell me that
they remember me because of the prop or skit I used for a particular talk.
Prayerfully, they remember the point I was trying to make as well.
Practice, practice, practice.
One of the most
skilled speakers I know is Chuck Swindoll, especially given his childhood stuttering
problem. But that impediment only served to help him focus more on delivery
technique than most perhaps. That and the grace of God, which he would readily
tell you. Every week, he spends time in front of the mirror practicing his
sermons/talks, creating hand gestures that will reinforce his points.
Well, if Chuck
Swindoll needs to practice in front of a mirror, how much more do I. It might
seem that practice will lead to a stilted speech. Far from it. Practice builds
confidence, vocal strength, and opens the door for spontaneity during the
actual delivery.
Dress as a professional.
During our years
in Lynchburg, I attended a women’s retreat at Eagle Eerie. As I walked to the meeting
room, someone behind me said, “Are you the speaker today?” I can only imagine
she thought this because I was decked out in a gray suit, matching gray
hosiery, gray shoes, and pink blouse with bow characteristic of the 80s. Back
then, dressing up for a conference was the norm rather than the exception, but
I guess I’d pulled out the stops that day. Amused, but honored, I turned. “No,” I said, with a smile, but I’d like to be, I thought. Years
later, God fulfilled that dream, first through marriage seminars with my
professional counselor husband and then at women’s functions.
What I learned
from that encounter and from the speaker who followed, was that if I’m going to
speak, I need to dress appropriately. Later I learned from other professional
speakers that the rule of thumb is to dress a little bit better than your
audience. Not to flaunt your nice wardrobe, but to cue the audience that you
are indeed a professional. If the retreat is rustic, like the one I conducted
last weekend, and everyone is wearing tee-shirts and jeans, I will wear a nice,
but casual blouse/shirt with simple slacks, for example. Certainly, you don’t
want to be overdressed in a way that you feel distant from your audience.
I’m indebted to
the many speakers over the years who’ve invested in my speaking ministry, many
without even knowing it.
